Meeting Thursday, March 11, the county commission decided to advertise for one full-time animal shelter helper after discussing the matter with Ginger Valentine, the shelter's manager. Mrs. Valentine said she could work under either arrangement, but she needs someone to help at the shelter soon.

The position was posted at the county building Monday, March 15, and will remain posted for seven days. The worker will earn $12.72 per hour for 35 hours a week.

No interview date for the fulltime position was set during the meeting. The current helpers will be retained until the new hire is made.

The commissioners have grappled with the hiring decision for the past month. They interviewed Donna DesJardins and Vickie Patson, who already worked parttime at the shelter, for two positions Tuesday, February 16, when commissioners revealed they may be classified as temporary workers rather than part-time.

The move was considered to avoid the county's nepotism clause, commissioners said, as Mrs. DesJardins is related to Mrs. Valentine. Commission Chair Dawn Nelson said during a meeting that smaller communities can make exceptions, and the commission is no longer concerned about the matter.

Commissioners later discussed hiring one full-time employee during a special meeting Thursday, March 4. With Animal Control Officer Lorie Thompson helping at the shelter every day, the commission mulled whether a single helper would be enough.